Quest-Sep-2014

St John the Baptist Scottish Episcopal Church Perth Q U E S T Sep–Oct 2014 www.scotland.anglican.org www.standrews.anglican.org

St. John the Baptist Scottish Episcopal Church Princes Street, Perth, PH2 8LJ Scottish Charity Number SC 011398 www.episcopal-perth.org.uk 01738 634999

In partnership with the Scottish Association of Retired Anglican Clergy

Contents

Contacts ��3 Traidcraft Christmas catalogue �� 11 ‘All Is Safely Gathered In’ ��4 Harvest Thanksgiving �� 11 Welcoming Our New Rector ��5 Commemorating the First World Picnic in Comrie, 16th August ��6 War �� 12 ‘Interim’ No Longer! ��7 The ongoing tragedy in Iraq �� 13 From the Registers ��8 Peacemaking Sunday �� 13 Lectionary ��8 Senior Bishop condemns rising Church Diary ��9 wave of violence in Gaza �� 14 Referendum Prayer �� 10 Still Pilgrims Together �� 15 GLEN ‘14 �� 10 Christian Aid Harvest �� 16

Cover image: Pears in the garden. Photo: Bruce Cameron. Contacts

Interim Pastor Rt Revd Bruce 01821 650482 Cameron [email protected] Lay Reader Lis Burke 624150 Church officers (Mail to be sent to church office) Rector's Warden Mary Emma Strange 01821 642120 People's Warden David Willington 813787 [email protected] Administrator Heather Elliott [email protected] Lay Representative Jean Hendry 623603 Alternate Lay Rep Graham Kingsley-Rowe Vestry Secretary Judy Norwell [email protected] Treasurer David Roemmele [email protected] Protection of Vulnerable Malcolm Moore 639963 Groups [email protected] Director of Music Alison Grant 625394 [email protected] Team Convenors Casting the Net Lis Burke 624150 Ministry and Pastoral Alan MacPherson 552337 Finance and Stewardship Mary Emma Strange 01821 642120 Communications Rhiannon Miller 625903 [email protected] Children and young people Jean Hendry 623603 Buildings and Eco David Maclehose 636147 Social Christine Bracewell 552817 Church Activities Intercessors Group Tony Mason 627870 Flowers Christine Bracewell 552817 Magazine Editor Rhiannon Miller [email protected] Fellowship Jean Hendry 623603 Mothers’ Union Elaine Kirk 551265 Links Ruth Harris 621379 Traidcraft Rhiannon Miller 625903 PACT Jean Hendry 623603 Threshold bookings Heather Elliott [email protected] SARAC Revd Geoffrey Hall 636802

Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 3 ‘All Is Safely Gathered In’

- A short reflection on Harvest -

Five years ago I planted some fruit The world of today also presents a trees in our garden. Since then the picture of such varied experiences. plum tree has in most years provided I remember how in a visit to us with a good harvest, and this year Mozambique in the 1990’s I found is one of the best. But up to this year myself in a country which had our two pear trees, though blossoming experienced 10 years of drought in the spring have realised nothing conditions. But that year the rains – even when I took a member of St had come and people were planting John’s advice and tried to pollinate seeds wherever they could – even on them by means of a small brush!! But street edges as they hoped to gather this year there has been some success in what for them would be a bumper – a total of 10 pears from two trees harvest. have appeared. Enough for one or Harvest is more than just giving two ‘poached pear’ desserts in the thanks to God for the good times and Cameron household! the good harvests; it is a time when Such are the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of we are challenged to ensure that harvest time. And the Bible is full of the gifts of a creative God are more similar experiences. From the ‘seven equitably shared in our world. years of harvest and seven years of On Sunday 21st September I hope famine in the story Joseph in the many members of St John’s will come book of Genesis – to the parables of to give thanks to God for the Harvest Jesus, the variations of harvest time once more – it is always a service are graphically illustrated. of joy and thankfulness; but also to remember and be challenged by the words of this Harvest collect from the Prayer Book: Stir up we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they who have freely received may of thy bounty freely give. Bishop Bruce

4 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 Welcoming Our New Rector

At the end of October a new chapter in the life of St John’s begins with the arrival of a new Rector, Graham Taylor. These services will particularly mark his arrival.

The Insitution Of Graham Taylor As The Rector Of St John’s

Thursday 30 October 7:30 pm

By the Most Rev. David Chillingworth, Bishop of the Diocese, Primus As well as our own congregation we hope to welcome many guests from Aberdeen and Graham’s former congregations; clergy and lay readers from the diocese; and representatives of local churches in Perth and from the city itself. After the service there will be a Reception in the George Hotel, George Street to which all are invited

First Services of Graham Taylor

Sunday 2nd November

This will be an opportunity for St John’s members to get to know their new Rector. Note that the services on this Sunday will be as follows: 8:30 am Holy Communion (said) 10:30 am Sung Eucharist for All Saints at which Graham will preside and preach followed by coffee/tea etc in the Threshold

(The normal pattern of Matins and Alive for Christ will resume in December)

Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 5 Picnic in Comrie, 16th August

About twenty of us, young and old, physical experience of tracing the travelled across to St Serf’s church, path as it twists and turns. Walking Comrie for a day together at the end it as group also offers the experience of the school holidays. Our plans for of unexpected encounters as the a picnic outside were looking a little path brings people close together for uncertain due to the weather but on a moment before they move apart arrival we found that Kate Sainsbury, St Serf’s Lay Reader, had thoughtfully rearranged the furniture so that we could picnic inside the church building. She showed us key points of interest in the building and told us a little about the activities that take place there. After an informal time of fellowship over lunch Kate suggested that we walk the prayer labyrinth that is maintained in the glebe land next to their church and gave us leaflets about the history and purpose of labyrinths. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path which leads both into the centre and out again: there are no dead ends. Some people walk the labyrinth as an aid to contemplative prayer or reflection; others enjoy the

6 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 again. In many ways this experience successfully negotiated steep steps mirrors life! to a viewpoint where we paused to enjoy the view before following a Taking advantage of the afternoon more gentle gradient back. sunshine, Kate then guided many of us along the Lednock Millenium We all appreciated the opportunity Footpath, a level all-ability path to see a little of life in the diocese which leads alongside the River outside our own boundaries and all Lednock below Comrie Golf Course enjoyed our day out. We expressed with informative panels on the area’s our gratitude in a letter to Kate history and heritage. After pausing enclosing a small contribution to St by a small dam where children and Serf’s church funds. dogs were enjoying the water, we Lis Burke

‘Interim’ No Longer!

When I came to help Patrick back in For Elaine and me it has been a January 2013 I did not envisage then privilege to share in the life of St how it would turn out the beginning John’s over this time – to renew of almost two years of interim friendships and make new ones. In ministry at St. John’s. It has been a the next few weeks you will welcome time of sad moments as well as joyful Graham Taylor, someone who back ones, but in all this I have witnessed in 2001 I ordained in the Diocese of a faithful congregation coping with Aberdeen and Orkney; and with him the early retirement of their Rector, you can now look forward to the next the refurbishment of their church stage of your journey as a Christian building, the appointment of a new community. Rector, and through that work to I will continue to conduct services sustain the fellowship and witness of and meet any special pastoral needs this congregation. up to the end of October. Bishop Bruce

Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 7 From the Registers

Lectionary

7 Sept 13th Sunday after Pentecost 12 Oct 18th Sunday after Pentecost Matins Philippians 4:1—9 Exodus 12:1—14 Matthew 22:1—14 Romans 13:8—14 Alive for Christ 19 Oct 19th Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 18:15–20 1 Thessalonians 1:1—10 Matthew 22:15—22 14 Sept Holy Cross Day Evensong 1 Corinthians 1:18—24 Isaiah 45:1—7 John 3:13—17 Mark 10:35—45

21 Sept Harvest Festival 26 Oct 20th Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 26:1—11 1 Thessalonians 2:1—8 Luke 17:11—19 Matthew 22:34—46 Evensong Joel 2:21—27 2 Nov Feast of All Saints 2 Corinthians 9:6—15 1John 3:1—3 Matthew 5:1—12 28 Sept 16th Sunday after Pentecost Phillipians 2:1—13 9 Nov Remembrance Sunday Matthew 21:23—32 1 Corinthians 15 : 51 -57 John 6:37—40 5 Oct 17th Sunday after Pentecost Matins Isaiah 5:1—17 Philippians 3:4b—14 Alive for Christ Matthew 21:33—46

8 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 Church Diary Regular services First Sunday 8:30 am Holy Communion (Scottish Prayer Book) in the month 9:30 am Matins 10:45 am Alive for Christ all-age Eucharist Third Sunday 8:30 am Holy Communion (Scottish Prayer Book) in the month: 10:30 am Sung Eucharist with healing service 6:00 pm Evensong Other Sundays: 8:30 am Holy Communion (Scottish Prayer Book) 10:30 am Sung Eucharist Weekday services: Thursdays 11:00 am Holy Communion (Scottish Prayer Book) Other Services Sunday 22 September 10:30 am Harvest Festival Thursday 30 October 7:30 pm Institution of Graham Taylor as Rector of St John’s Sunday 2 November 10:30 am Graham Taylor’s first Eucharist service All Saints Day (no Matins or Alive for Christ today) Sunday 9 November 10:30 am Sung Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday Other Events Every Monday 10:30 am Giraffe Community Lunch in the Threshold Every Tuesday 9:30 am Buggy Club in the Threshold Every Thursday 7:30 pm Choir rehearsal

Saturday 21 September Open doors day Sunday 22 September Open doors day Bring and Share lunch after the service Saturday 11 October ACTS conference in Edinburgh Friday 14 November 7:30 pm Amnesty International meeting in the Threshold Saturday 15 November 1:00 pm Organ recital: Robin Miller in the church Sunday 30 November AGM in the church after the service

Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 9 Referendum Prayer

A Prayer from the Joint Liturgical Group of Great Britain, on which the Scottish Episcopal Church is represented, to be said at the time of the Scottish Independence Referendum. The prayer is inspired by Psalm 104: Lord, we bless you for you have fashioned our land and daily refresh it; you have sent forth your spirit and created us; you have opened your hand and filled us with good things. Bless us, your people, as we consider the future of our nation. May your glory endure here for ever and may we sing to you as long as we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) has also produced liturgical resources to be used at this time which are now available on its website: www.acts-scotland.org

GLEN ‘14

Glen ’14 is a youth camp designed debates; sports such as swimming, for 12-18 year olds which is held rounders and lots more; drama, in Glenalmond College for a week music and art. We worshipped 3 times during the summer holidays. This a day, morning, noon and night. year it was my first time going and I The best thing about this camp for was the youngest at the camp. me was meeting new people and It is run by the Episcopal Church. making new friends. I would like to Every day on the camp we were given say thank you to the Vestry and the opportunities to choose different congregation for supporting me to go activities. We were given 3 slots to this camp and I hope I can do it of activities during the day. The again. activities included discussions and James Grant

10 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 Harvest Thanksgiving

Sunday 21St September At the 10:30 am Sung Eucharist please bring a non-perishable gift which will be donated to the Perth Foodbank as well as replenishing our own store for those who occasionally appear at St John’s in need of help with food. For the 10:30 am service it is hoped the children will have been baking bread which will be used at the Eucharist. This is also ‘Open Doors’ weekend and so we should look out for and warmly welcome any visitors who come to attend the service.

Traidcraft Christmas catalogue

This year’s Christmas catalogues from Traidcraft will soon be available at the back of church. It’s full of unique handcrafted gifts, like these slippers made from sustainable banana fibre. There’s also new cardigans, shawls, pyjamas, tops, and men’s shirts and jumpers. There is a wide selection of toys and stocking fillers including fun purses, solutions for women funky key rings, jigsaw puzzles, and in Swaziland. bright wooden vehicles. And of course there’s Traidcraft have added to their wide a wide selection of range of homeware with products Christmas cards, decorations, and from across the world including gift wrap. Swaziland, Peru, Bangladesh, Kenya Please place your order with Rhiannon and Thailand, like this elephant as soon as possible. Remember, the cushion cover from Baobab Batik in later you leave it, the more chance it Swaziland. Baobab Batik works to will sell out! build sustainable economic and social Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 11 Commemorating the First World War

These special flower arrangements were set up for our service on Sunday 3 August to commemorate the start of the First World War. Photos: Lis Burke

12 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 Peacemaking Sunday

This year United Nations Peace Day and the churches’ Peacemaking Sunday are coming together on Sunday 21 September. This will also be the first Sunday after the referendum. Churches pray for peace all the year round but an annual focus is very important. It gives an opportunity to pray for those caught up in specific conflicts. Some local churches join together with an ecumenical or interfaith vigil or service. Religion should be seen as a power for reconciliation rather than conflict or division. Uniting for Peace is producing special worship resources for Peacemaking Sunday. If you would like a copy, please send £5 (cheques payable to ‘Peace services’) to the Rev Brian Cooper, 144/1 Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh EH9 2AN (0131 446 9545)

The ongoing tragedy in Iraq

The Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, the Rt Rev Dr Robert Gillies, has issued the following statement as Senior Bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church: The forced expulsion of Christians by Mosul in Iraq Europe was recognising ISIS militants in Mosul and northern the nineteenth anniversary of the Iraq is a deep tragedy not just for massacre of some 8000 Moslems by the individuals concerned but also invading (Christian) Serb forces in removes from that part of the middle Srebrenica, in Bosnia Herzegovina. east some of the most ancient This too we must criticise for it was Christian communities. the biggest genocide Europe has seen since the Second World War. This ISIS militants are perverting to a level of extremism the peaceable Ethnic cleansing is wrong on all teaching of the Islam they profess and counts. Where it brings death and within which Christians and Moslems injury that wrong is magnified to have lived together and cooperated appalling proportions. Where it together for centuries. Sadly, and is done in the name of religion within our own times, Christians have (whatever the religion might be) behaved equally badly. then those who recognise this to be a perversion of the religious belief they In the same week that Christians hold must say so. And this I do. were fleeing the northern city of From the Provincial website. See more at: http://bit.do/christians-in-iraq Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 13 Senior Bishop condemns rising wave of violence in Gaza

The Rt Rev Dr Robert Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, as Senior Bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church, has issued the following statement concerning the current conflict in Israel/Palestine: All people concerned for the welfare of their neighbour must condemn the current and rising wave of violence in Gaza, and now spreading to other areas of the West Bank. Far too many Palestinian civilians who have no part in this conflict have been killed and sorely injured through the Israeli action. Likewise the constant threat from the missile firing by Hamas militants into Israel, and their deployment of missiles into hoped-for safe locations, is deepening a political crisis to truly alarming proportions. The scale of deaths and injuries, homelessness and the lack of safe shelter for the inhabitants of Gaza is never acceptable, under any circumstances, as a consequence of action between these two warring factions. In the end the only successful outcome to the Israel / Palestinian conflict must be a secure negotiated peace plan. The lesson that Britain learned as a consequence of thirty years or so of the troubles in Northern Ireland is that peace comes slowly and not without many difficulties along the way. What is currently happening in Gaza right now is that both sides of the conflict are making any likelihood of a peaceful and acceptable concord a remote possibility in this century. From the Provincial website. See more at: http://bit.do/violence-in-gaza ‘Senior Bishop is used in the Scottish Episcopal Church to denote the Bishop next in seniority of consecration to the Primus.

14 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 AUTUMN CONFERENCE “Still Pilgrims Together”

AUTUMN BOOK CONFERENCE NOW! “Still Pilgrims Together”

Date: Saturday, 11 October 2014 Venue: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL Tel: 0131 220 1677

Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 15 Will you set a place for Christian Aid this Harvest? This year, our church will stand with communities like Alok, in South Sudan, that struggle to find enough to eat or a secure shelter for their families.

Sudan has been plagued by two brutal civil wars. Two million lives have been lost as a result of fighting, famine and disease. Millions more were forced to flee their communities to escape the violence.

Nyipock Majak (pictured) fled his home as a young teenager to start a new life in the north of Sudan. He was finally able to return home to South Sudan three years ago, when the region gained independence.

Nyipock is just one of more than 2 million Nyipock with the clay oven he built. southerners who have since gone back to live in South Sudan. Many of them arrived with He dreams of opening his own restaurant one few or no possessions and have depended day, saying, ‘With the profit, I would buy school on the kindness of local communities to help uniforms for my children and pay for their school them get back on their feet. fees. If they got sick, I would be able to pay for In South Sudan, our partners are responding their treatment.’ to the current humanitarian crisis in South Sudan (for more details visit christianaid.org. ‘I do help others where I can and uk/harvest) and also helping communities to let them have bread. It’s mainly develop in the long term. elderly mothers and children, who have very little’ Our partner Hope Agency for Relief and Development (HARD) gave Nyipock a cash grant Nyipock has so little, yet gives so much. As we to build his own house. He is grateful to HARD celebrate God’s gifts to us this Harvest, let us for the stability and security a safe home brings. support communities affected by poverty and conflict around the world. Acting together, we Nyipock, who prides himself on working hard, can turn our daily bread into a secure harvest for built his own clay oven. Now he rises at six some of the world’s poorest people. every morning to bake 600 loaves a day for his community. Thank you so much for all you can give.

Donations will be used to support poor communities like Nyipock’s all over the world. UK registered charity no. 1105851 Company no. 5171525 Scot charity no. SC039150 NI charity no. XR94639 Company no. NI059154 ROI charity no. CHY 6998 Company no. 426928 The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. © Christian Aid May 2014 15-J2535 Photo: Christian Aid / Andrew Testa / Panos